A few years ago, I heard an interview that intrigued
me. “Why do you think that NASCAR racing has become so popular?”
The interviewee (I wish I could give him credit)
said something like, “Well, in part, because cars are safer than they have ever
been. Everyone who has a driver license feels like they can participate in this
sport. With in-car cameras, viewers, in some way, identify with the drivers,
and they see themselves behind the wheel. NASCAR is becoming the national sport
because we all drive.”
I first heard the Rev. Dr.
Dan Olson (Wartburg
Theological Seminary) speak about the primal fears of humankind—starvation, a
fear of falling, and insignificance as being the framework of Jesus ’ temptations. The temptations are not just
metaphors of temptations in general; these temptations for Christ
are real.
The great popularity of racing tempts us to think
about at least two of these temptations. Falling, as in the risk of an
accident, and fame associated with racing tempt us, psychologically, to imagine
ourselves as challengers of those primal fears whenever we get behind the
wheel. We may think that modern safety equipment will save us no matter what so
we recklessly test those systems. Fans often gather at sports bars, over-consume,
and then get behind the wheel of their cars depending on God’s intervention
alone to get them home safely.
Prayer
Lord, temptation challenges us each and everyday.
Strengthen us for your service, for our own safety and the welfare of others.
Amen
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